Why has Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech retired from international football?
Cameron Smith
- 8 Feb 2022 22:11 GMT
- 3 min read
Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech has announced his retirement from international duty.
The 28-year-old spoke ahead of Chelsea's Club World Cup opener and revealed that he won't be returning to play for Morocco in his playing career.
The winger missed this year's African Cup of Nations, and instead stayed at Chelsea during the competition.
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His nation ended up losing 2-1 to Egypt in the quarter-finals of the tournament in Cameroon.
Ziyech's last cap came in June 2021, a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso, and he ends his international career with 40 caps and 17 goals to his name.
But, why has Ziyech quit international football so early?
Why Ziyech has retired
The main reason is his public fall-out with Morocco head coach Vahid Halilhodzic. The pair have never seen eye-to-eye, and Ziyech was left out of the AFCON squad due to their fractious relationship.
Speaking to Abu Dhabi Sports while on Chelsea duty for the Club World Cup, Ziyech said: "I understand them [the fans], but I will not return to the national team. That is my final decision.
"I am focusing on what I am doing with my club. It was a decision he [Halilhodzic] made and you have to respect it. But then if all the lying comes with it... for me it is clear and I will not return to the national team.
"I feel sorry for [the fans], but that’s the situation right now.
"Everyone has seen what happened in the last period," Ziyech added. "I am sad but this is my final decision.
"The coach of the national team made his decision, and in any case I respect it. My focus now, as I said, is only on Chelsea."
Halilhodzic has accused Ziyech of not caring enough in the past, with the fact Ziyech represented Netherlands' youth teams, but opted for Morocco when it came to senior international football, a topic of conversation amongst many.
However, one thing is clear, Ziyech's poor relationship with the Morocco head coach has deprived his country of one of its finest ever players.
Ziyech's 2021/22
Ziyech has arguably been Chelsea's most reliable attacker, along with Mason Mount, this season, and has begun to gain Thomas Tuchel's full trust.
He has started the past three Premier League games, scoring in the most recent two.
Ziyech is part of the Chelsea squad currently in Abu Dhabi for the Club World Cup. They face Al-Hilal in the semi-finals, and will play Palmeiras in the final if they progress.
